Strictly Snap-Fits - Developing World-Class Plastic Part Attachments
I.D. # C0201 Duration 2 Days
This seminar provides attendees with an in-depth understanding of snap-fit technology. Seminar material covers everything from the minimum design requirements to lock feature selection and diagnosis of common problems. Attendees will acquire the knowledge to develop snap-fit applications that are optimized for reliability, manufacturing, assembly and customer usage. A new module introduces management and organizational concepts leading to a 'snap-fit capable' organization.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their own examples and applications for discussion. Sample parts are provided to support a hands-on activity and attendees are encouraged to bring their own examples and applications for discussion. Attendees will receive a copy of the instructor's book, "The First Snap-Fit Handbook", second edition.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this seminar, attendees will be able to:
  • Explain how a snap-fit attachment functions as a complex system of features.
  • Identify the minimum design requirements for a successful snap-fit attachment.
  • Apply a process for developing fundamentally sound application concepts before committing to a final design.
  • Recognize a wide variety of integral locking features and identify which is appropriate in a given application.
  • Apply tricks of the trade which are otherwise learned through trial and error.
  • Apply rules of thumb as well as analysis procedures for lock feature design.
  • Recognize basic processing and material considerations for snap-fits.
  • Follow a process for diagnosing common snap-fit problems.
  • Define a snap-fit capable organization.
Who Should Attend
Engineers and designers with responsibility for designing, developing or testing plastic parts and applications engineers who must integrate parts into systems. Novices looking for an understanding of the basic principles of snap-fits as well as experienced designers/engineers will benefit from learning this systems approach to snap-fit technology. Managers of product design/development groups will also find the material useful for product development planning, establishing performance requirements, supplier/client interactions and guiding development projects.
Prerequisites
Participants should have an engineering or design degree or experience in plastic part design.
Seminar Content
DAY ONE
  • Overview of the Attachment LevelŪ Construct
    • The key requirements of a snap-fit application
    • Elements
  • Constraint Features
    • Locator features
    • Lock features
    • Lock feature selection
  • Enhancements
    • Assembly
    • Activating and using snap-fits
    • Performance
    • Manufacturing
  • Fundamental Snap-fit Concepts
    • Constraint
    • Decoupling
DAY TWO
  • Feature Design and Analysis
    • Pre-conditions for feature analysis
    • Material property data needed for analysis
    • Cantilever hook design rules of thumb
    • Initial strain evaluation
    • Adjustments to calculations
    • Cantilever hook analysis
    • Modifications to the insertion and retention face profiles
    • Other feature calculations
  • The Snap-Fit Development Process
    • When is snap-fit appropriate?
    • Benchmarking
    • Generating multiple concepts
    • Analysis and design
  • Diagnosing Snap-Fit Problems
    • Introduction
    • Rules for diagnosing snap-fit problems
    • Attachment level diagnosis
    • Feature level diagnosis
  • The 'Snap-Fit Capable' Organization
    • Harmful beliefs
    • Suggested initiatives
    • A proposed capability plan
  • Class summary
  • Evaluation
Instructor(s): Paul Bonenberger
Paul Bonenberger holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from General Motors Institute, a M.S. in Engineering Management from the Univ. of Detroit and a M.S. in Training and Development from Oakland Univ. He spent more than 35 years with the automotive industry in final assembly and production engineering where, for 25 years, he was a subject matter expert in mechanical attachments. In 1990, he recognized that no systematic explanation of snap-fit technology existed and set about gathering and organizing snap-fit design practices into a rational knowledge construct. He is now president of FasteningSmart, Inc., a consulting company specializing in product design and training in snap-fit and threaded fastener attachments. Mr. Bonenberger is the author of The First Snap-Fit Handbook.
Fees: $1325 SAE Members*: $1060 - $1193
* The appropriate SAE Member discount will be applied through the Registration process.  Discounts vary according to level of membership: Elite Member 20%; Premium Member 15%; Classic Member 10%
CEU 1.3